Driving a truck safely

By the end of this topic you can

• You can carry out a daily walkaround check and know what to do about a defect.
• You can set and use the full set of truck mirrors to cover blind spots.
• You can position a long vehicle for left and right turns and roundabouts.
• You can plan braking early and use retarders and gears on long descents.
• You can recognise height, width and weight limits and plan a route around them.

What you need to know and understand

• Before each shift the driver should do a walkaround check of tyres, wheel nuts, lights, mirrors, brakes, air lines, coupling and load.
• Trucks have large blind spots directly in front, down the nearside and behind; extra mirrors and cameras help but do not remove them.
• On a turn the rear wheels follow a tighter path than the front, so the vehicle cuts in, and the rear can swing out.
• A loaded truck needs a much longer distance to stop than a car at the same speed.
• Heavy goods vehicles are limited to 90 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h elsewhere.
• Height and weight restriction signs apply to you; know your vehicle's height in metres and its weight.

Before you turn the key

1. Walk round the truck and trailer checking tyres for cuts, bulges and pressure, and wheel nuts for signs of movement.
2. Check all lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates are clean and working.
3. Check mirrors and cameras are clean and correctly adjusted from the driving seat.
4. Check the load is secure and within weight limits, and that doors and curtains are closed and fastened.
5. On a combination, check the coupling, air and electrical lines and the trailer brake.
6. Build up air pressure and test the brakes before moving. Report any defect and do not drive an unsafe vehicle.

Space for turns and junctions

To get round a tight left turn you may need to go further forward before turning, so the rear wheels clear the kerb. Before and during the turn, check the nearside mirrors for cyclists and pedestrians who may have moved up beside you. They are among the people most at risk from turning trucks.

On right turns and at roundabouts, you may need more than one lane. Signal clearly, take the position you need in good time and watch the rear of the vehicle in the mirrors as you go round. Remember the tail can swing out over a footpath or into the next lane as you start to turn.

Braking, hills and weather

• Look well ahead and brake early and gently. Harsh braking can shift the load or make a trailer jackknife.
• On long downhill stretches, select a lower gear and use the retarder or exhaust brake so the main brakes do not overheat and fade.
• Leave a longer following gap than the two-second rule you use in a car, and at least double it in the wet.
• High-sided and empty trucks are badly affected by crosswinds; slow down on exposed roads and bridges.
• In rain, your spray blinds drivers behind and beside you, so be patient and keep a steady line.
• Overtaking another truck on a motorway takes a long time; only start if you can complete it quickly and without forcing others to brake.

Common mistakes

• Skipping the walkaround on a familiar truck. Faults appear overnight; check every time.
• Turning left from too close to the kerb. Go forward far enough and check the nearside mirror throughout.
• Riding the footbrake down long hills. Use a lower gear and the retarder instead.
• Following too closely. A truck cannot stop as quickly as the car in front.
• Ignoring height signs because the route is familiar. A different trailer or load can be taller.

Test yourself: Driving a truck safely

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.